Device for handling returnable cans

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device (10) for handling returnable cans, by means of which device a returnable can is handled mechanically such that it can be formed into a smaller size for transportation and further handling. The device (10) for handling returnable cans includes a press unit (12) arranged below an upper transfer unit (13), which has a conveyor (14) preferably a belt conveyor, on which a returnable can is first placed in an inlet gate (A) on top of an upper run of (14a) the belt, run as a closed loop. The equipment further includes a conveyor passage (F) having at least one diagonal side wall surface (16), by means of which a distance is provided between adjacent returnable cans to facilitate the identification and further handling of the returnable can.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for handling returnable cans, by meansof which device a returnable can is handled mechanically such that itcan be formed into a smaller size for transportation and furtherhandling and from which device the person returning the can receives areceipt or directly a compensation corresponding to the quantity and/ortype of the cans to be returned.

Devices for handling returnable cans are known in prior art, by means ofwhich returnable can is pressed in a press into a smaller size and fromwhich devices the person returning the can receives a receipt ordirectly a compensation corresponding to the quantity of the returnableitems. In known device solutions, the can is placed in a trough, whichturns into a position transferring the can to a press. The material andweight of the can are measured before the transfer to the press, wherebya non-accepted can can be transferred to rejection. The identificationof the can material occurs by means of an inductive sensor.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is a device solution of a new type, in whichthe feeding rate of the cans is sufficient, at least 50 cans/min. Anobject is also to provide a simple device solution, which is therebyreliable in operation and has a simple construction, whereby theconstructional costs of the device decrease in comparison with knowndevice solutions.

It has been realized in the invention that it is advantageous to form inconnection with the lower press unit of the device for handlingreturnable cans an upper transfer unit such that said transfer unitcomprises a conveyor belt, which transfers the returned can from aninlet gate A along a conveyor passage to the end of the belt run. Inthis manner, the can, which is received and accepted by the device, isgravitationally transferred further from the end of the belt run to apress, in which the press forms the can into a smaller volume bypressing it between a press drum and a counterplate into a longitudinalplate-like structure.

The inventive device for handling returnable cans is mainlycharacterized in that the device for handling returnable cans comprisesabove a press unit an upper transfer unit, which as a conveyor comprisesa belt conveyor, on which a returnable can is first placed an inlet gateon top of the upper run of the belt run as a closed loop. The devicefurther includes a conveyor passage comprising at least one diagonalside wall surface, by means of which a distance is provided betweenadjacent returnable cans to facililite the identification and furtherhandling of the returnable can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is next described with reference to certain preferredembodiments of the invention shown in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, to which the invention is not intended solely to be limited.

FIG. 1 shows axonometrically an inventive device for handling returnablecans in accordance with the present invention, when its cover has beenremoved.

FIG. 2 shows a section I--I of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows axonometrically, partially the inventive device inaccordance with the invention with its main drive.

FIG. 4 shows a view of FIG. 1 from the direction of the arrow K₁.

FIG. 5 shows the equipment of FIG. 1 from the direction of the arrow K₂.

FIG. 6 shows a section II--II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the inventive device, in which thereturnable cans are sorted into aluminium cans and steel cans.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the inventive device, in which the cansare separated by means of a magnetic wheel after the press unit.

FIG. 9 shows the operation of the inventive device as a block diagramrepresentation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an inventive device 10 for handling returnable cans, whichdevice comprises a cover 11 and above a lower press unit 12 an uppertransfer unit 13. (In FIG. 1, the cover 11 is removed from top of thedevice.) In accordance with the invention, the transfer unit 13 isformed such that it comprises a conveyor 14 and most preferably a beltconveyor. In the figure, a returnable can is fed to an inlet gate A, andif said can is rejected, it is returned to the customer and can beremoved from an outlet gate B.

The inventive equipment thus comprises a conveyor passage F on top of abelt run 14a. At the end of the belt run 14a is located a first passage17, preferably a trough, via which the returnable can, which has beenaccepted, is transferred to the press, which forms the can into asmaller volume. A second passage 18 is located at the end of the beltrun 14a on the other side of the belt run. The second passage ispreferably a trough, via which a rejected can gravitationally transfersto the outlet gate B.

The conveyor passage F is comprised of side walls 16 and a ceiling H,and the bottom of the conveyor passage F is formed by the movable beltrun 14a. According to FIG. 1, the equipment further comprises a device19, for removing a rejected can from the belt run. The rejection device19 is preferably a solenoid kicker which transfers the can from top ofthe the belt run 14a to said passage 18 designed for rejected cans. Thedevice 19 preferably comprises a piston part or the like, which hits therejected can when the can enters at the device 19. In the cover 11, anacknowledgement button is marked with the letter C and an outlet openingfor a receipt and/or compensation money is marked with the letter G.

FIG. 2 shows a section I--I of FIG. 1. The passage F is bounded by sidewalls 16a₂, 16a₂ and 16a₃ as well as 16b₁, 16b₂ and 16b₃. The side walls16a₁ and 16a₂, like correspondingly their side walls 16b₁ and 16b₂paralled thereto are located diagonally relative to a center axis X ofthe belt run 14a. According to the figure, the returnable can transfers,conveyed by the belt run, along the passage F such that the returnablecan transfers to the side wall 16a₂. The returnable can transfers in thedirection of an arrow S₁ and rotates in compliance with the side wall16a₂ and along it to a point N at the end of the side wall 16a₂. Fromthe end of the side wall 16a₂, the returnable can is guided incompliance with the side wall 16a₃ to the vicinity of the rejectiondevice 19 in an exact alignment, which is given to said returnable canby the side wall 16a₃ parallel to the center axis X of the belt run 14a.Since the side wall 16a₂ in a diagonal position relative to the centeraxis X of the belt run 14a, it gives the returnable can P a rotationalmovement S₂. The rotation of the returnable can thus occurs against theside wall 16a₂. The material of the wall 16a₂ is selected so that it hasgood frictional properties, whereby the can does not slide on thesurface 16a₂ but rotates in compliance with said surface. The dark andprotected space between the walls 16a₂ and 16b₂ can then be used forreading a line code. A scanner 24, which reads the line code on thereturnable can, is advantageously fitted to the wall 16b₃, and in thefigure, it is according to an arrow d fitted to send a scanning stripalong the wall 16a₂ towards the rotating can P. As the can rotates, theline code on the can in some phase inevitably enters the scanning line,whereby the scanner 24 reads the line code of the returnable can. Thepurpose of the walls 16 and the ceiling H is also to form such a passageF, from which it is difficult to reach the returnable can, when it hasonce been transferred to the inlet gate A. The walls thus bound the darkand protected space, which comprises the scanner 24, whereby the readingaccuracy of the scanner improves, since external light is prevented fromentering into the dark space between the walls 16a₂ and 16b₂.

The rotational movement provided for the can by means of the wall 16a₂in turn makes it possible that the scanner is capable of reading theline code, since in the rotational movement S₂, the line code in somephase enters the scanning line.

An identification device 20 is located in the vicinity of the gate A.The identification device 20 is preferably a photocell, an infrared cellor some other corresponding identification device, by means of which theentry of the returnable can into the gate A is identified. Thisinformation is further transmitted to the central unit of the device,which unit starts up a motor 25, whereby the belt 14a receives arotational movement.

At the initial end of the wall 16a₃, 16b₂ are located sensors,preferably light sensors, which are comprised of transmitter/receiverunits 22a₁, 22b₁, 22a₂, 22b₂. The sensors are located one after theother, and by means of them, the travelling direction of the returnablecan is identified and possibly also the fact that the returnable can isin a vertical position on top of the belt run 14a. An incorrect use iseliminated by means of the above-mentioned light-sensor devices, sincethe travelling direction of the returnable can is determined by means ofthe light sensors, and when the travelling direction is the directionL₁, an acceptance signal is given thereof. After thetransmitter/receiver light sensor devices is located a weightidentification device 21, preferably a strain-gauge transducer locatedunder the belt 14a. After the weight identification device 21 is thenlocated a material identification device 23, preferably an inductivesensor, which checks the material of the returnable can, and when itdetects that e.g. a steel can is concerned, the central unit starts upthe rejection means, i.e., a kicker 19, after a certain delay. Thekicker 19 which transfers a rejected returnable can from the belt run14a to the passage 18, which is preferably a trough, via which thenon-accepted can is transferred to the outlet gate B. From the gate B,the customer can pick up the non-accepted returnable can back toher/himself.

FIG. 2 further shows the above-mentioned branching point, whereby anaccepted can transfers from the end of the belt conveyor in thedirection of the arrow L₂ directly to the passage 17 and to the press,and a rejected can transfers in the direction of the arrow L₃ to thepassage 18 and to the gate B.

FIG. 3 illustrates the actuators of the inventive device. The motor 25is preferably an electric motor, which rotates via a herringbone gear 26a press drum 27 of the press unit 12.

The press drum 27 comprises a shell 28 and therein wings 29 or the like.The ends of the shell 28 have end flanges 30, which comprise shafts 31aand 31b. The shaft 31b, on the side opposite to the motor 25, isconnected to a belt pulley 32. The motor 25 is preferably an electricmotor. When the press drum 27 is thus rotated in the directions of thearrows, the belt pulley 32 is rotated and a belt 33 is moved, which isas a closed loop guided via the first belt pulley 32 and a second beltpulley 34. The belt pulley 34 is connected to a first turning roll 35 ofthe belt run 14a, to its shaft 35a, and provides a drive for the beltrun 14. A second turning roll 36 of the belt run 14 is located near theinlet gate A. The turning rolls 36 and 35 are mounted on the body of thedevice with bearing devices (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows the inventive device from the direction of the arrow K₁ ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the device of the figure seen from the direction of thearrow K₂ of FIG. 1.

The rotational drive of the belt 14a of the transfer conveyor 14,preferably a belt conveyor, is preferably thus taken from the belt 33shown in FIG. 5, which is further driven by one end shaft 31b of thepress drum 27. One motor 25 thus rotates the conveyor belt 14a and thepress drum 27. When the placement of a can on the belt run 14a isdetected by the identification device 20, preferably a photocell, themotor 25 automatically starts up.

FIG. 6 shows a section II--II of FIG. 1. The press unit 12 comprises thepress drum 27, between the shell 28 and a counterpart 38 of which formsa wedge-like press gap 37. When the press drum 27 is rotated, the wings29 transfer the returnable can by force into the wedge-like gap 37,which narrows in a wedge-like manner. The returnable can is formed intoa flat longitudinal space-saving form. According to FIG. 6, thecounterpart 38 is fitted to turn at an articulated point 39 against thespring force of a spring 40. The press drive thus receives flexibility,since the counterpart 38 can be moved against the spring force of thespring 40. In addition, the counterpart 38 is provided with a rotatableroll 41, which facilitates the travelling of the can at the narrowestpoint of the gap 37 and the removal of the can from the gap and furtherto a storage T.

It is also possible to use in the invention an embodiment, in which theconveyor is driven directly by its own motor, preferably an electricmotor, which connects from its outlet shaft either directly or via agear system to the roll driving the belt 14a.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment, in which both aluminium cans and steelcans are crushed. The equipment is provided with a magnetic wheel 42,whereby the steel cans stick to the magnetic wheel and transfer,loosened by a guide 43, to a passage 44, which transfers the returnedsteel can to its own press or to a certain sector of the press drum. Thealuminium can transfers directly on the belt run 14a to a passagelocated at the end of the belt run, which passage transfers thealuminium can to its own press or to a certain sector of the same press.In the embodiment of FIG. 7 is given a receipt for or directly acompensation corresponding to the returned number of steel cans andaluminium cans.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the inventive device, in which thealuminium cans and the steel cans are separated after the press drum bythe rotatable magnetic wheel 42, which is fitted after the press gap 37.The magnetic wheel 42 transfers e.g. the aluminium cans directly to astorate station T₁ located below the magnetic wheel 42, whereas thesteel cans stick to the magnetic wheel 42, which transfers them above astorage T₂, where the guide 43 loosens the steel can magnetically stuckto the magnetic wheel 42 from the magnetic wheel 42. The steel can thendrops into its own storage T₂. In this embodiment of the invention, onepress unit can thus be used and the separation of the Al/FE cans occursafter the pressing occurrence.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representation of the operation of theinventive device. In the first step, the returnable can is fed into theinlet opening A. The photocell detects the returned can and starts upthe motor. In the next step, the line code is scanned, as the returnablecan travels on a diagonal surface diagonally relative to the center axisX of the conveyor and diagonally relative to the travelling direction ofthe conveyor belt. In the next step, a pair of photocells identifies thetravelling direction of the can. After this, the weight is identifiedfrom under the belt by the weight identification device 21, preferably astrain-gauge transducer, and in the final step, an inductive sensoridentifies the material of the returnable can. If the can is accepted,the solenoid does not react and the can transfers to a passage leadingto the press. If the can is rejected, the solenoid or some othercorresponding rejector transfers the non-accepted returnable can to itsown conveyor passage, from which the can transfers back to the vicinityof the front panel of the device, where is located the outlet gate B forrejected returnable cans.

We claim:
 1. A device for mechanically handling returnable cans anddecreasing the size of the cans, comprisinga press unit for pressingreturnable cans, checking means for checking whether a returnable can isaccepted or rejected and whether a receipt and/or a compensation isprovided for the can, transfer mean coupled to said press unit, the canbeing transferred by said transfer means to said press unit after thecan has been accepted, said transfer means comprising a transfer unitincluding a closed loop belt conveyor having an upper run for carryingthe cans in a travelling direction of said upper belt run; and inletgate situated at an upstream end of said upper belt run for receivingcans; a conveyor passage having at least one diagonal side wall situateddownstream from said inlet gate and forming an angle with the travellingdirection of said upper belt run, said inlet gate being substantiallyaligned with said at least one diagonal side wall in the travellingdirection of said upper belt run, said at least one diagonal side wallextending across said upper belt run to an extent that the cans receivedat said inlet gate are necessarily carried on said upper belt run intocontact with said at least one diagonal side wall to move along the sameto thereby increase the space between the cans.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein said transfer unit has additional side walls and a ceilingarranged in proximity to said upper belt run to thereby define saidconveyor passage between said additional side walls, said ceiling, saidat least one diagonal side wall and said upper belt run such that anenclosed space is formed in said conveyor passage, said device furthercomprising a scanner operating in said enclosed space.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein said scanner is structured and arranged to send ascanning strip in a direction along said at least one diagonal side wallsuch that an identification code on the can is scanned by said scannerduring a rotational movement of the can along said at least one diagonalside wall.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said additional side wallscomprise a plurality of opposing parallel walls, one of said additionalside walls being opposite and parallel to said at least one diagonalside wall, a surface of said at least one diagonal side wall facing saidconveyor passage having friction properties such that the cans rotatedsubstantially over the entire length of said at least one diagonal sidewall.
 5. The device of claim 4, further comprising rejection meansarranged after said conveyor passage for handling a rejected can, a pairof said additional walls being arranged in proximity to said rejectionmeans and parallel to the travelling direction of said upper belt runsuch that the rejected can is directed by one of said pair of additionalwalls to said rejection means.
 6. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising rejection means for handling a rejected can, said rejectionmeans being arranged after said at least one diagonal side wall andcomprising an outlet gate and equipment for removing the rejected canfrom said upper belt run and transferring the rejected can through atrough to said outer gate, said outlet gate being located in proximityto said inlet gate on a front panel of the device.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein said equipment for removing the rejected can comprisesa solenoid kicker.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprisingidentifying means for identifying placement and entry of the can in saidinlet gate, and a motor arranged to rotate a belt of said belt conveyorvia a press drum upon entry of the can into said inlet gate such thatthe cans are carried on said upper belt run.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein said press unit is arranged under said transfer unit, saiddevice further comprises a vertically oriented trough leading away fromsaid belt conveyor such that an accepted can is transferredsubstantially by the effect of gravity from said upper belt run to saidpress unit.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein said press unit isarranged under said transfer unit, said trough being vertically orientedand directed away from said belt conveyor such that the can istransferred substantially by the effect of gravity from said upper beltrun to said outlet gate.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein saidtransfer means further comprises a passage through which the can ispassed from said transfer unit to said press unit, said press unitcomprisinga press drum having wing-shaped pieces arranged on a shell, amotor for rotating said press drum, and a counterpart arranged inproximity to said press drum to thereby define a gap which narrows in awedge-like manner in a pressing direction, the can being fed from saidpassage into said gap such that the can is pressed by said press druminto a longitudinally flat space-saving form by the action of the wedgeeffect between said counterpart and said press drum, the pressed canbeing transferred from said press drum to a storage for pressed cans.12. The device of claim 11, further comprisinga shaft connected to oneend of said press drum, a first belt pulley connected to said shaft, asecond belt pulley, a belt arranged to run over said first and secondbelt pulleys, and a turning roll having a shaft connected to said secondbelt pulley and arranged in a loop of said belt conveyor, such that saidmotor is arranged to drive said belt conveyor and said press drum. 13.The device of claim 1, further comprising drive means for driving saidbelt conveyor.
 14. The device of claim 1, furthercomprisingidentification devices for identifying a travelling directionof the can in said conveyor passage, whereby an acknowledgement for thecan is not given until after the can has passed said identificationdevices and whereby compensation is not given for the can if theidentified travelling direction of the can is not the travellingdirection of said upper belt run, material identification means foridentifying the material of the can, and rejection means arranged aftersaid material identification means in the travelling direction of saidbelt conveyor, said rejection means transferring the can away from saidupper belt run when said material identification means identify anon-acceptable can material.
 15. The device of claim 6, furthercomprising sensor means arranged underneath said upper belt run, saidsensor means identifying the weight of the can, said rejection meansbeing arranged after said sensor means in the travelling direction ofsaid upper belt run and transferring the can away from said upper beltrun when said sensor means identify a non-acceptable can weight, saidsensor means comprising a strain-gauge transducer.
 16. The device ofclaim 1, further comprisinga cover arranged to enclose said devicethere, said cover having a first and second opening, a turning rollarranged in said belt conveyor for turning said belt conveyor, saidinlet gate being defined between said first opening and said turningroll, said second openings defining an outlet gate through whichnon-accepted cans are returned, said cover having a third openingcorresponding to an acknowledgement button for acknowledging receipt ofthe can, and a fourth opening through which a return receipt and/orreturn money is dispensed.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein saiddevice is structured and arranged to accept both steel cans andnon-steel/aluminum cans, said device further comprisinga magnetic wheelarranged in proximity to said upper belt run and structured and arrangedto move a steel can adhering thereto, and a guide for releasing thesteel can from said magnetic wheel, the steel can being released fromsaid magnetic wheel and transferred to a passage leading to a pressdevice, the non-steel cans being transferred past said magnetic wheel toan end of said upper belt run, whereby a return money or a receipt isgiven both for steel cans and non-steel cans.
 18. The device of claim 1,wherein said device is structured and arranged to accept both steel cansand non-steel/aluminum cans, said device further comprising a magneticwheel arranged after said press drum, the non-steel cans being droppedby the effect of gravity from said magnetic wheel to a first storagestation and the steel cans adhering to said magnetic wheel and beingtransferred to a second storage station, the steel cans being loosenedfrom said magnetic wheel in the vicinity of a guide such that the steelcans drop into said second storage station, whereby the cans are sortedin said device and the steel and non-steel cans are both pressed by saidpress unit.
 19. The device of claim 11, further comprising a springconnected to said counterpart for providing flexibility to saidcounterpart as the can is being pressed by said press drum against saidcounterpart.
 20. A device for mechanically handling returnable cans anddecreasing the size of the cans, comprisinga press unit for pressingreturnable cans, checking means for checking whether a returnable can isaccepted or rejected and whether a receipt and/or a compensation isprovided for the can, transfer means coupled to said press unit, the canbeing transferred by said transfer means to said press unit after thecan has been accepted, said transfer means comprising a transfer unithaving a closed loop belt conveyor, the cans being placed in an inletgate formed on a top surface of an upper run of said belt conveyor, saidtransfer unit including a conveyor passage having at least onesubstantially planar diagonal side wall arranged in an angular positionrelative to a travelling direction of said belt conveyor, said at leastone diagonal side wall extending across said upper belt run to an extentthat the cans received at said inlet gate are necessarily carried onsaid upper belt run into contact with said at least one diagonal sidewall and along said at least one diagonal side wall at an angle to thetravelling direction of said conveyor and being rotated substantiallyover the entire length of said at least one diagonal side wall such thatthe space between successive cans placed in said inlet gate isincreased.